UNGASS 2016 - as it happened
The biggest global conversation on drug policy in the last 15 years was run by the United Nations in New York City 19-20 April 2016. A delegation of NZ NGOs joined diplomats, politicians, UN agencies and civil society representatives at the UN General Assembly Special Session.
Be informed:
- Tweets, stories and links sent live from New York via our storify (see below)
- Agenda, background documents, how to stay in touch via International Drug Policy Consortium
- Recent coverage of debate on New Zealand's outdated drug laws
- Articles from our Matters of Substance magazine:
UNGASS 2016: What prospect for change? (February 2016)
Guest editorial - Some thoughts on human rights and the War on Drugs (February 2016)
Early days for UNGASS 2016 declaration (November 2015)
The UNGASS 2016 primer (August 2015)
During #UNGASS2016 Tuari Potiki, Drug Foundation chairperson, addressed the General Assembly Special Session, on Thursday 21 April. Text of speech with video.
Here's a record of what was shared.
Recent news
Asian alcohol and drug survey shows more use than previously thought
Survey participants also reported that barriers to accessing services, resources and information were high.
Drug Foundation urges public to check drugs as highly potent opioid spreads
A group of powerful synthetic opioids that were first detected in the country just a year ago may have already been linked to several deaths.
New study shows therapeutic cannabis' benefits and barriers
95% of respondents reported positive effects, in a study that looked at both prescription and black market cannabis use.